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Charging a sub $200 should only be done after D* is certain the dvr was never returned.

No reason D* can't wait until the sub has a chance to respond before charging them $200.

Since they are returning a dvr there is 99% chance they are under a new 2 yr agreement with the replacement dvr.

We are talking about a damaged or dead dvr being returned,why would any sub not want to send it back and take a chance on a $200 charge ?

It is only done after a reasonable amount of time has passed. The customer has a responsibility to make sure it is returned. If it hasn't been, they can simply contact DirecTV and provide them with proof that it was shipped before a non-return charge is ever applied. I have no problem with people suggesting the process needs to be improved, but I have an issue with consumers who take no responsibility.

No, but the point it is Amazon knows the minute that return label is scanned into the system that an item has been tendered. DirecTV should have that built into their system as well so a customer's account is noted once a label has been scanned.

If only we could just get DirecTV to decide on who handles returns that would be a good start. Seems like every time I go to return a unit it goes through a different carrier. This last one the empty box was delivered by USPS and goes back via USPS. The one before that was delivered by FedEx and went back via USPS. I've also had some that were delivered by and went back via both FedEx and UPS.

They have to nail that down first, then they can move on to developing a system that can look for returns.

It is only done after a reasonable amount of time has passed. The customer has a responsibility to make sure it is returned. If it hasn't been, they can simply contact DirecTV and provide them with proof that it was shipped before a non-return charge is ever applied. I have no problem with people suggesting the process needs to be improved, but I have an issue with consumers who take no responsibility.

So let's see if I have your logic correct. The customer returns the unit and sees online that it was accepted by Directv. A month later, Directv charges them for a non returned unit. You think that's the customer's fault. Makes sense to me.....

So let's see if I have your logic correct. The customer returns the unit and sees online that it was accepted by Directv. A month later, Directv charges them for a non returned unit. You think that's the customer's fault. Makes sense to me.....

It is only done after a reasonable amount of time has passed. The customer has a responsibility to make sure it is returned. If it hasn't been, they can simply contact DirecTV and provide them with proof that it was shipped before a non-return charge is ever applied. I have no problem with people suggesting the process needs to be improved, but I have an issue with consumers who take no responsibility.

There isn't a single person in this thread who posted an opinion that consumers have no responsibility. The customer has a responsibility to use the methods and processes mandated by Directv and nothing more. That is what the thread is about.

It might as well be. You think Directv doesn't have any responsibility if a returned unit isn't properly credited as such. You think the customer should have to follow up on something that isn't their responsibility.

It might as well be. You think Directv doesn't have any responsibility if a returned unit isn't properly credited as such. You think the customer should have to follow up on something that isn't their responsibility.

The customer has a responsibility to make sure it is returned. If it hasn't been, they can simply contact DirecTV and provide them with proof that it was shipped before a non-return charge is ever applied. I have no problem with people suggesting the process needs to be improved, but I have an issue with consumers who take no responsibility.

Got to disagree!

If I get the shipping kit from DirecTV and pack the receiver properly and drop it at a FedEx location, then I as a customer have met my responsibility.

Why should a customer have to provide proof it was returned? DirecTV sends out the shipping boxes with airbill. Do they not note the tracking # on the customer's account? If not, then that is a MAJOR flaw in their process. DirecTV should be able to/have to check from their end if a shipment was tendered before a charge is applied.

All the FedEx site is going to show is that a box was delivered. It doesn't show what was in the box. Do the CSRs even have Internet access?

It also shows where it was delivered. I would think that the return label has a specified address where returns are shipped to.

I had a similar experience with an Amazon supplier. The label said "Returns". I had not received credit for the return. I checked the tracking number and it had been delivered. I emailed the company with the info, and they emailed me back that they had received the item, and that I would receive credit.

I got the credit without any hassels. Probably what helped is that this was a vender through the Amazon dot com website. I'm sure that Amazon gives them a lot of business, and it was Amazon's reputation on the line. They get copies of emails sent to the vendors.

This is from the customer agreement regarding the return of equipment:

EQUIPMENT RETURN, NON-RETURN FEES. If you cease to be our customer (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), you must contact DIRECTV within 7 days of termination of your base level of programming to arrange for an equipment return kit or kits, and instructions on how to return your leased equipment (Receivers with, access cards, Clients and remotes). Leased equipment must be returned in good working order, normal wear and tear excepted. If we haven't received your leased equipment within 21 days of termination of your base level of programming, or if the equipment is returned in damaged condition, we will charge you $45 for each standard Receiver, $135 for each DVR, $100 for each HD Receiver, $200 for each HD DVR, $250 for each Advanced Whole-Home DVR (aka "Genie HD DVR") and $100 for each Client, so please promptly attend to your equipment return.

Nowhere does it say the customer must follow up after returning the equipment. Your blind following of the company line is stupid.

If I get the shipping kit from DirecTV and pack the receiver properly and drop it at a FedEx location, then I as a customer have met my responsibility.

Why should a customer have to provide proof it was returned? DirecTV sends out the shipping boxes with airbill. Do they not note the tracking # on the customer's account? If not, then that is a MAJOR flaw in their process. DirecTV should be able to/have to check from their end if a shipment was tendered before a charge is applied.

CSRs do have the return tracking number in their ordering system. It is not front and center but it can be found. The tracking number also links them directly to fedex.com and they can see the return has been completed. From there it takes a simple escalation to have the automated system reverse the NRF charges. The key is getting a CSR who knows what they are doing.

This is from the customer agreement regarding the return of equipment:

EQUIPMENT RETURN, NON-RETURN FEES. If you cease to be our customer (whether voluntarily or involuntarily), you must contact DIRECTV within 7 days of termination of your base level of programming to arrange for an equipment return kit or kits, and instructions on how to return your leased equipment (Receivers with, access cards, Clients and remotes). Leased equipment must be returned in good working order, normal wear and tear excepted. If we haven't received your leased equipment within 21 days of termination of your base level of programming, or if the equipment is returned in damaged condition, we will charge you $45 for each standard Receiver, $135 for each DVR, $100 for each HD Receiver, $200 for each HD DVR, $250 for each Advanced Whole-Home DVR (aka "Genie HD DVR") and $100 for each Client, so please promptly attend to your equipment return.

Nowhere does it say the customer must follow up after returning the equipment. Your blind following of the company line is stupid.

If I received a bill that was up to $250 higher than what I expected to pay that month, it would be my responsibility to follow up. And I most certainly would. Or you could not, and just blindly pay your bill if you like. But that would be on you for shirking your personal financial responsibilities and not following up. As an adult, you do have that choice. If the mistake is due to a failure of an automated system, no one at any company will be actively filing through millions of accounts for easily fixable errors such as these. In DirecTV's case, they already have a vehicle in place to correct such errors. As you can read above, call in > get a competent CSR > CSR confirms the error > CSR escalates the needed information > NRF is reversed in a few days. Problem solved.

I would also like to give an example of why the "Why should I have to?" argument is silly.

Someone buys a home cash without an inspection prior to purchase and later discovers there was a leak that the seller was truly unaware of. Now there is mold and the property needs expensive mold remediation before it is deemed safe to live in again. When buying a home cash there is no lender to require an inspection, and the title company and real estate agent (will recommend) but do not require them either. The buyer is now upset and will likely try to sue the seller. When it is pointed out that the buyer had the option to have an inspection prior to closing, out comes "Why should I have to pay for an inspection before buying a home!"

I had an HR23 go bad just before Christmas. Ordered an HR24 from Solid Signal. Activated it, and then deactivated the HR23, and asked for a box to be sent to me for the bad HR23.
I got the box a few days later and noticed the return label was for the working H24 in the bedroom instead of the HR23. I scratched out H24 and wrote in HR23 ( I think I added the serial number also) and sent it back. I called Directv and told them what had happened and hoped they had it straightened out.
A few days later I get a box for the bad HR23.
I'm checking my account everyday to see if I've being charged for the HR23.

It is only done after a reasonable amount of time has passed. The customer has a responsibility to make sure it is returned. If it hasn't been, they can simply contact DirecTV and provide them with proof that it was shipped before a non-return charge is ever applied. I have no problem with people suggesting the process needs to be improved, but I have an issue with consumers who take no responsibility.

I had an issue with techs who took a replaced DVR with them and apparently didn't return it to DirecTV in a timely fashion. I was charged well over $200 and it took several months to get the billing straightened out.

That was five years ago; apparently the return process still needs improvement.

...and then deactivated the HR23, and asked for a box to be sent to me for the bad HR23.I got the box a few days later and noticed the return label was for the working H24 in the bedroom instead of the HR23.

That was your mistake. You should have ordered the return kit before you deactivated the HR23.

DIRECTV employee April 2004-November 2012.
The above comments are my own because I don't know if anyone would care about my opinions anymore.

Keep in mind this is not just D*. It's obvious, and has been stated, they are also working with Fedex and USPS. If D*'s system requires that Fedex or USPS notify them when a package has been processed for return and they fail to give them this notification, how is all the blame on D*?

I will agree that there are times when the system fails, as many automated systems do from time to time, but I agree with Darth. If a bill is hundreds of dollars higher than what it should be, it is on the customer to call in for the correction. The competent CSR is another story. As the OP said, he talked to someone who did not even know they could access the Fedex website.

The competent CSR is another story. As the OP said, he talked to someone who did not even know they could access the Fedex website.

The OP also stated he talked to the CSR's supervisor who didn't know how to access the shipping status. Was the 'supervisor' a real supervisor or just someone the CSR handed the phone to in order to get the OP off the phone?

I love my DirecTV and I can't imagine a scenario where we would shift to another provider. But at times (and I'd say less than 10% of my dealings since 1998), it is frustrating as can be.

The OP also stated he talked to the CSR's supervisor who didn't know how to access the shipping status. Was the 'supervisor' a real supervisor or just someone the CSR handed the phone to in order to get the OP off the phone?

I love my DirecTV and I can't imagine a scenario where we would shift to another provider. But at times (and I'd say less than 10% of my dealings since 1998), it is frustrating as can be.

I would hope against it, but as much as we deal with level 1 CSR roulette, I can only imagine there is, we'll say, level 2 CSR/supervisor roulette. Maybe he just wanted to back up the CSR to make OP feel confident they knew what they were doing, even if they were in training.

My posts, whether fact or opinion, are my own and in no way represent DirecTV or any affiliated enterprise or corporation.